Out in the heart of Qonce, a team are celebrating a big win, one that honours tradition, culture and a touch of modernisation.
Qonce, South Africa (20 September 2025) – A humble store in Qonce has caught the nation’s attention for all the right reasons. SaveMor Kwa Kokoyi has been named South Africa’s best SaveMor outlet, and it’s doing so much more than selling groceries. It’s keeping Xhosa culture alive, one shopping basket at a time.
Kwa Kokoyi’s roots run deep in the Eastern Cape. For more than half a century, it’s been the go-to spot for traditional items linked to Xhosa customs and ceremonies, from initiation blankets and beads to cattle whips and brewer’s yeast for umqombothi. The store has long been woven into the cultural fabric of the community, serving as a bridge between generations.
When local retailer Kriton Efstratiou took over, he made sure that bridge only grew stronger. He transformed the store into a modern SaveMor under the SPAR brand, adding a full grocery line, a butchery and even a hardware section, but he never let go of what made Kwa Kokoyi special. The shelves still carry the cultural essentials that honour local traditions, standing side by side with everyday goods.
“You’ve got civil servants working in Bhisho but they still go home to their villages, their children still undergo initiation rites and they still celebrate their ancestors.” – Kriton Efstratiou
That respect for heritage is matched by a spirit of innovation. Efstratiou and his team introduced an umgidi card, a savings card that helps families prepare for homecoming celebrations by allowing them to set aside funds for food and drinks. It’s a modern solution to a traditional need, rooted in community care.
“I’m determined to keep that cultural aspect visible because it’s our community’s heritage,” he adds.
SPAR Eastern Cape’s retail operations executive, Cecil Halse, says Kwa Kokoyi’s recognition is a win for more than just business.
“It’s a huge achievement for Kwa Kokoyi to be recognised nationally, especially since it’s in such a small town,” he says. “We are super privileged to have Kriton as part of our retail fraternity. The way he puts our brand on the map is incredible.”
Today, Kwa Kokoyi stands as a proud example of how tradition and progress can share the same space, proof that the future of retail doesn’t have to come at the cost of culture. In Qonce, heritage isn’t just remembered; it’s celebrated at the checkout.
Sources: SPAR EC – Supplied
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